Women’s Intuition: Myth or Reality?

Do women have some special ability?

We've all heard the term "women's intuition," but is it real, or just a myth? What does the research evidence suggest? Do women have some sort of "psychic" ability to discern others' feelings and what they are thinking?

There is a much more logical, and research-based answer. Research on nonverbal communication skill has clearly shown that women are, as a group, better at reading facial expressions of emotions than are men. As a result, women are more likely to pick up on the subtle emotional messages being sent by others.

Women are also better at expressing emotions through their facial expressions, tone of voice, and body, particularly positive emotions. Men are better at controlling felt emotions and at hiding emotions behind a "poker face." There is also evidence that women are seen as more empathic than men, and that they are more likely to see themselves as empathic. In other words, women tend to be more "open" to others' emotional messages. This may add to the perception that women have some special ability to intuit what others are feeling or thinking.

Where does this ability to read emotions come from? It has been suggested that it is mainly due to social power. Women, who have been historically lower in social power, spend more time observing and scrutinizing those in power (i.e., men, and powerful women), and become more attuned to their nonverbal cues. It has also been suggested that evolutionary elements have been involved, selecting females who have better ability to decode the needs of children and potential mates.

Remember that sex differences, such as skill in communicating emotions, are group-based, and that there are plenty of men who are skilled at reading others' emotions. Moreover, there is evidence that people can improve their nonverbal communication skill, particularly their ability to read and send emotional messages.

So, is women's intuition myth or reality? Mostly reality, and it is based on gender differences in nonverbal communication skill. In fact, the term "women's intuition" may have been created by emotionally-clueless men.

I would like to theorize that women interpret facial expressions because of their maternal role as nurturer. We must interpret facial expressions prior to language acquisition in our infants. See link: http://www.loveinhabit.com/2011/08/facial-expressions.html

While women are more emotionally in-tune than men are. I would like to propose with more research that human beings in general are intuitive. Considering three studies were done for women's intuition, evidence does suggest or point in the direction of this being reality. I searched the databases and could not find anything on men's intuition which I believe is also possible.

I also believe it, animals have instincts and human are animals, but in us has evolved more than in animals, at least when it comes to social interaction. It's just that women are encouraged to be more intuitive while men are supposed to be dense and lack emotional intelligence according to society, not that they're born to be that way.

I believe women's intuition is a result of our closer connection to the creator, as we are creators ourselves. I also believe it developed as a natural defense as we do not not typically have the physical strength in terms of protecting ourselves from a predator or potential harm that men do. Men got muscles, we got intuition. We must learn to tune into it as it's our best defense. I feel physically sick when I'm in either a dangerous situation or a situation that is not in my best interest. I used to ignore it, and wound up getting hurt one way or another. Now that I pay attention to it at all times, my life has improved drastically. This includes both relationships with people as well as major life choices and more simple things, like which highway to take to avoid traffic and which aisle in the grocery store has what I need.

Women are known to overthink and pick things apart to such detail that they end up forming their own opinions based on what they think the truth is. That is all that women's intuition is. An opinion based on overthinking, and it's wrong more often than not.

If women's intuition was real, there would be more female police detectives.

What you have said leads me to believe that you have had no experience with intuition or know no one who has had it. Your mind is a sad box of stereotypes and i would almost feel bad for you if you didn't say such offensive horrible things.

Anyone who thinks intuition, whether it be "woman's intuition" or otherwise is fake needs to open their minds. For as long as I can remember I have been able to feel when physical weather storms are coming. Even when they are days away. And for as long as I have been with my current boyfriend I always know when something isn't right with him. This also goes with my mom and dad. I know, as do they when something is wrong with anyone in our family. I think intuition, or whatever name you want to give it goes persons to person. But it does exist. And to argue otherwise just proves how close minded so many in works chose to be.